Charles sebastian



No. 619,625. Patented Feb. I4, |899.

C. SEBASTIAN.

TARGET TRAP.

(Application led. Sept. 23, 1898.)

(No Model.)

M ...1.1L u

Fries.

CHARLES SEBASTIAN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO THE MARKLE LEAD VORKS, OF SAME PLACE.A

TARG ET-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 619,625, dated February 14, 1899.

Application led September 23,1898. Serial No. 691,680. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES SEBASTIAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Target-Traps, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

My invention relates to traps for throwing ii ying targets, and the invention has particular reference to the target-holding jaws.

My invention consists in features of novelty hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

Figure I is a side elevation of a trap constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. II is a perspective view of the targetholding jaws removed from the throwing-arm. Fig. 'III is a view of the target-holding jaws, looking at the under side thereof. Fig. IV is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line IV IV, Fig. II.

1 designates the base, and 2 the frame of the trap, pivotally mounted on said base. The base is formed with a notched rim that is adapted to be engaged by a spring-controlled rod 3, mounted in the frame 2, and which holds the frame in a tXed position on the base. 4 is the target-throwing arm, pivotally mounted on the frame 2 and having an actuatingspring 5, forming a connectionl between the frame and the inner end of said throwingarm. When the arm 4 is set for throwing a target, it is designed to engage a trigger 6, controlled by a spring 7. No novelty is herein claimed for these parts per se, and they may be modified or changed at will without aifecting my invention, which I will proceed to describe.

8 designates a plate that is attached to the throwing-arm by a sleeve 9, fitted to the arm and held thereon by a set-screw 10.

11 11 designate the target-holding jaws, which are connected by a pivot-pin 12, common to both jaws, which arrangement permits of the jaws swiveling on their pivot in unison with each other. Above the jaw 11 is a keeper 15, one end of which is connected to the pivot-pin 12, while the opposite end is attached to the free end of said jaw by a pin 14. The jaw 11a carries a knob or button 15. The target is intended to be inserted between the jaw 11 and keeper 13 and to rest against the knob or button 15. The jaws are limited in movement with respect to each other by a stud 16, carried by the jaw 11 and seated in an opening 17 in the opposing jaw llwhereby a limited amount of movement is permitted without the jaws swinging too far apart. This 6o stud also limits the approach of the jaws toward each other. The jaws are connected by a spring 18, supplied with a set-bolt and nut 19. This spring serves to hold the jaws inwardly toward each other to clamp the target in the jaws.

20 designates a spring that is designed to return the jaws into line with the throwingarm and to ease the movement of the jaws as they swing out of line in the swinging of the 7o arm to discharge the target. This spring 2O is connected at one end to a tongue 21 on the plate 8, and at the other end is attached to a stud 22 on the jaw 11n. The plate 8 is provided with flanges 8 at its edges, between 75 which the spring 2O is protected. These flanges also present a smooth handheld to be grasped by the operator in setting the arm 4.

In target-throwing traps it is necessary that the target-holding jaws be so attached to the 8o throwing-arm as to be capable of swinging laterally as the arm swings under the action of its impelling-spring. Otherwise the jaws would not be in a position that would allow of the easy discharge of the target, and the jar occasioned at the end of the throw of the arm would cause the target (which is fragile) to be broken. The spring 2O permits the jaws to swing laterally in the manner mentioned and eases them in their movement, and, be- 9o sides, serves to return them to their normal position ready for the setting of the trap, thereby obviating the necessity of turning the jaws back into line with the throwing-arm,

as is required to be done in the absence of such spring. The positions into which the jaws move are shown in full lines and dotted lines, Fig. III.

I claim as my inventionl. In a target-trap, the combination with a roo throwing-arm and operating mechanism, of a plate removably attached to said arm, a pair of target-recei ving jaws pivoted to said plate, and a spring connected to said plate and to one of said jaws; substantially as described.

2. In a target-trap, the combination with a throwing-arm and operating mechanism, of a plate removably attached to said arm, a pair of target-receiving jaws pivoted to said plate, a spring connecting said jaws, and a spring connected to said plate and to one of said jaws; substantially as described.

3. In a target-trap, the combination, with a throwing-arm and operating mechanism, of a plate attached to said arm and provided with anges, a pair of target-receiving jaws pivoted CHARLES SEBASTIAN.

In presence of- E. S. KNIGHT, N. V. ALEXANDER. 

